Steerable sheath with variable curve span

Abstract

A guiding sheath assembly has a shaft that is operable to define more than one deflection curvature and defines a lumen to slidably receive a cardiovascular catheter. The guiding sheath assembly includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a stiffener member. The proximal section has a proximal shaft that defines a proximal lumen extending distally along a longitudinal axis to the distal section. The distal section has a distal shaft that defines a distal lumen that is configured to be biased (e.g., resiliently biased) laterally away from the longitudinal axis. The stiffener member is a rigid elongate member, such as an inner tubular member, that is configured to counteract the bias of the distal shaft. Longitudinal movement of the stiffener member relative to the distal section enables the operator to select and set a deflection curvature of the distal section.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 715,013, entitled “Catheter with Adjustable Deflection,” filed May 18, 2015, published as U.S. Pub. No. 2016 / 0339207 on Nov. 24, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to electrophysiologic (EP) catheters, in particular, deflectable guide sheaths for use with EP catheters for mapping and / or ablation in the heart.BACKGROUND[0003]Electrode catheters have been in common use in medical practice for many years. They are used to stimulate and map electrical activity in the heart and to ablate sites of aberrant electrical activity.[0004]In use, the electrode catheter is inserted into a major vein or artery, e.g., femoral vein, and then guided into the chamber of the heart which is of concern. Within the heart, the ability to control the exact position and orientation of the catheter tip is critical and largely determines h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention is directed to a catheter with a catheter shaft that has a more uniform construction throughout its length, including an elongated proximal section and a distal deflection section, and a catheter shaft that can adopt more than one deflection curvature. The catheter shaft includes a flexible outer tubular member, and a less flexible inner tubular member extending through the outer tubular member in the elongated proximal section of the c

Problems solved by technology

The catheter is therefore a composite of different constructions and materials and consequently may not have uniform characteristics in flexibility, torsional stiffness, push-ability and/or rotational accuracy.

Assembling puller wires and their respective c

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